June, 23 2010  Hockley County Residents May Offer Comments About Annexation Into High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1

A public meeting/hearing will be held July 21 at 7 p.m. at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, FM 303, in Pep to give local residents an opportunity to offer comments about the proposed annexation of the northwestern portion of Hockley County into the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1.

“Management of underground water has become more political and complex during the past few years, “said Jim Conkwright, High Plains Water District manager. “Hockley County landowners have expressed interest in joining the Water District to assure local control and management of their groundwater resources.”

The High Plains Water District currently serves most of Hockley County. The current proposed annexation territory is a rectangular- shaped area in the northwest portion of the county which includes the communities of Oklahoma Flat and Pep.

Under the provisions of Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code, groundwater conservation districts “provide for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of the underground water reservoirs.” Created in 1951, the High Plains Water District was the first groundwater conservation district formed in Texas.

In order to add territory to an underground water conservation district, a petition must be signed by a majority of persons holding title to the land within the proposed annexation area. If more than 50 persons hold title to the land within the proposed annexation area, then a petition with a minimum of 50 signatures is required.

A petition containing 83 signatures was received by the High Plains Water District Board of Directors at their June 15 regular meeting. Using the appropriate appraisal district records, the Water District has confirmed that more than 50 valid landowners signed a petition for the county in which they owned land.

“The Board of Directors appreciates the efforts of local landowners to obtain these signatures,” Conkwright said.

The July 21 public hearing has been ordered by the High Plains Water District Board to determine if annexation of the proposed Hockley County territory would benefit the landowners in the area and the Water District.

A second hearing is scheduled for August 17 at 9:45 a.m. in the A. Wayne Wyatt Board Room at the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 office, 2930 Avenue Q, in Lubbock. At that time, the five-member Board of Directors will take comments for residents of the existing Water District regarding the proposed annexation of the remainder of Hockley County.

The High Plains Water District Board of Directors may order a Nov. 2, 2010 annexation election if it is determined that the annexation is beneficial.

Hockley County residents may obtain additional information about the proposed annexation by contacting Jim Conkwright or Sherry Stephens at (806) 762-0181.

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Web posted at 1:26 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2010.